Apparatus for producing beams, columns, or the like



Nov. 14, 1939. w. SYKES 2,179,803

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 14, 1939. w. SYKES 2,179,803

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 14, 1939. w, s s 2.179.803

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 w. SYKES 2.179.803

COLUMNS OR THE LIKE Nov. 14, 1939.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 W. SYKES Nov. 14, 1939.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 o u mww SW W kw h QN v M E. fig Y m E j ill! Mm &\ 8m m vmN W. SYKES Nov. 14, 1939.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1956 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 QW awn w Qwl b\ Q9 Nov. 14, 1939. w. SYKES 2,179,803

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 l 10?; J64 j L11 L11 LL11 U Nov. 14, 1939. w SYKES 2,179,803

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 14, 1939. w. SYKES 2,179,803

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1956 15 Sheets-sheet 9 APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 JgJz w. SYKES 2.179.803

OR THE LIKE Nov. 14, 1939.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-$heet 11 zvgazgy 5,

'II/I/IIIIIIII,

Nov. 14, 1939.' w s s 2,179,803

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Shet 12 W. SYKES Nov. 14, 1939.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 w. SYKES 2,179,803

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Nov. 14, 1939.

Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet l4 W. SYKES Nov. 14, 1939.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Filed July 2, 1936 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING BEAMS, COLUMNS, OR THE LIKE Delaware Application July 2, 1936, Serial No. 88,671

14 Claims.

My invention relates to the welding of articles, as for example and more particularly, buil -up metal structures such as and more especially beams and. columns comprising web and flange members, this application being in part a continuation of my application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 746,346, filed August 1'7, 1934.

My object, generally stated, is to provide a novel, simple and highly satisfactory apparatus for producing such articles, of the type wherein the welding together of the parts to form the articles is produced while these parts are at rest. Certain more specific objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of the entering end of the apparatus and a portion of the welding mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view of the run-out end of the apparatus and the adjacent portion of the welding mechanism.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken at the line 5 on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow showing the operative parts of the welding mechanism in the positions they assume alter the members to be welded together are introduced into this mechanism but before the clamping and welding operations, the work shown therein comprising a web-forming and a flangeforming member only.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken at the line 6 on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow and showing the clamping and welding electrodes in operating position, the work shown therein comprising a web-forming portion to one edge of which a flange-forming portion has been welded, together with a flange-forming member to be welded to the opposite edge of the web-forming portion.

Figure '7 is an enlarged broken sectional view taken at a line corresponding with the line 6 on Fig. 3, the mechanism being conditioned for welding together the work shown in Fig. 5 and the clamping and electrode mechanisms being shown in operating condition.

Figure 8 is an enlarged broken section taken at the line B on Fig. 6 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 9 is a section taken at the line 9 on Fig.

6 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 10 is a broken longitudinal section taken at the line on Fig. 6 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 11 is a broken plan section taken at the irregular line H on Fig. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 12 is a plan section taken at the irregular line l2-|2 on Fig. '7 and viewed in the .direction of the arrows.

Figure 13 is a view in elevation of one of the similar duplex side-guards, or gages, forming parts of the apparatus.

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional View of one 15 of the similar flange-engaging electrodes of the apparatus.

Figure 15 is a sectional View taken through the feed-in table of the apparatus, the section being taken at the line H: on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken through the run-out end of the apparatus, the section being taken at the line It on Fig. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 17 is a face View of one of the similar sectional flange-engaging supporting rollers, showing the sections thereon in separated condition.

Figure 18 is a view, in the nature of a diagram, showing certain of the various fluid-pressure-operated devices of the apparatus, together with the controlling means therefor.

Figure 19 is a sectional View of a valve device provided for selectively supplying either low pressure fluid or high pressure fluid to the fluid-pressure-operated devices of Fig. 18.

Figure 20 is a sectional view of a valve device controlling the supplying of fluid pressure to certain of the fluid-pressure-operated mechanisms 4 of Fig. 18, showing the valve proper in one position.

Figure 21 is a similar View of the valve mechanism of Fig. 20 showing by dotted lines and by full lines two other positions to which the valve proper is operated in the control of the operation of the fluid pressure mechanisms of Fig, 18.

Figure 22 is a sectional view of a valve device controlling the supplying of fluid pressure to another of the fluid-pressure-operated mechanisms.

Figure 23 is a View, in the nature of a diagram, of electrical apparatus for supplying welding current to the welding mechanisms.

Figure 24 is a more detailed diagram of certain of the electrical connections typical of those for the several groups of electrodes; and

Figure 25, an enlarged sectional view taken at the line 25 on Fig. 23 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

As a preface to the following description of the particular illustrated apparatus, it may be stated that the particular apparatus shown is provided for the manufacture of beams, columns or the like of general I-shape in cross section (though the invention is not limited thereto) formed of a separate web-forming section represented at 25 and flange-forming sections represented at 26 and if, each flange-forming section 25 and 2? being shown as provided along a face thereof. with a rib 28 extending the full length of the section and equidistantly spaced from the longitudinal edges thereof and at which ribs the flange-forming sections 25 and 21 are welded to the opposite longitudinal edges of the web-forming sections 25, each rib 28 preferably being of a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the web-forming section 25 and of a height not less than its thickness.

The particular apparatus shown and designed to effect the welding together of the members forming the beam or column, by a welding operation which in effect constitutes flash welding, the flange-forming sections being welded to the web-forming section, one at a time, comprises at the entering end thereof a table represented generally at 29, on which the web-forming section 25 and the flange-forming sections 26 and 2? are assembled preliminary to the feeding thereof. through the apparatus.

The table 29 is shown as comprising spacedapart beams 34! extending lengthwise of the apparatus and supported on cross beams 3!; and horizontal roller mechanisms for supporting, respectively, the web-forming section 25 and the flange-forming sections 26 and 27.

The web-supporting roller mechanisms referred to (the one of which adjacent the welding mechanism is represented at 32) are arranged in a horizontal series disposed lengthwise of the table 29 and between the beams 30, and comprise rollers 33 supported on shafts 34 journalled at their ends in journal boxes 35 secured to the beams 3E3.

The flange-supporting roller mechanisms above referred to and represented generally at 36 and alternating with the web-supporting roller mechanisms 32, are arranged in a horizontal series disposed lengthwise of the table 29 and between the beams 36 and comprise rollers 37 the peripheries of which. are annularly grooved as represented at 38, these rollers being mounted in pairs on shafts 39 alternating with the shafts 34 and journaled at their ends in journal boxes 40 carried by the beams 30. The rollers 38, which are located at opposite sides of the web-supporting rollers 33 as shown, are preferably formed of half-sectins as shown in Fig. 1'7, secured together as by the bolts 4|, the provision of. these rollers as sectional structures as shown adapting them for quick attachment to, and detachment from, the shafts 39 which is especially desirable when substitution of different sized rollers, to accommodate flanges of different heights, is to be made.

As will be understood from the foregoing, the web and flange-forming sections 25, 26 and 27 are assembled together on the table 29 by positioning the Web-forming section 25 flatwise upon the rollers 33 and the flange-forming sections 28 and 2'! edgewise upon the grooved portions 38 of the rollers 31, with the ribs 28 extending inwardly toward the opposite edges -of the web-for1ning section 25. It may be here stated, however, that, inasmuch as the flange-forming sections 26 and 21 are welded in succession and not at the same time to the web-forming section, the web-forming section 25 and the flange-forming section 26 only would be assembled as stated, in the initial assembling operation, and after Welding these two parts together the Welded structure would be removed from the machine and re-positioned on the assembling table to cause the web-forming section 25 to rest on the rollers 33 and the flange-forming section 26 to rest in the grooved portions of the rollers 38 on the middle portions of the shafts 39 and the other flange-forming section 2'! applied to the grooved portions 38 of those of the rollers 31 at the outer ends of the shafts 39 (Fig. 15), and the work thus constituted run into the welding mechanism to weld these parts together.

Located adjacent to, and beyond, the table 29 is the welding portion of the apparatus which operates to weld the flange-forming sections 26 and 21 at their ribs 28 to the opposite longitudinal edges of the web-forming section 25, upon the delivery to the welding mechanism of the sections assembled on the table 29 as above stated.

Below the Welding mechanism is a series of crosswise extending shafts 42 mounted at their ends in the upper vertically movable end portions 43 of jacks 4 3 shown as of the pneumatically operated type and which may be of. any desirable construction. The shafts 62 are provided with peripherally grooved rollers i journaled thereon to receive the flange-forming sections 26 and 21, and with web-engaging rollers ib journaled in yokes 41 secured to these shafts, the rollers 45 and 46 being in line with the rollers 38 and 33, respectively, and receiving the work as it is moved into position within the welding mechanism. The rollers 45 are shown as mounted between pairs of collars 48 adjustable lengthwise along the shafts 42 and held thereon by set screws 49 extending into grooves 56. in the shaft. The yokes 4'! are held in the upwardly extending position shown by means of set screws 5| carried thereby and extending into the grooves 50.

The welding mechanism comprises sets of electrodes each consisting of a movable flange-engaging electrode 52, an upper movable web-engaging electrode 53 and a stationary lower web-engaging electrode 54. These various electrodes, composing the sets thereof as stated, are each arranged in a series extending lengthwise of the apparatus and in spaced apart relation and provided in such numbers as to cause each series thereof to be substantially of the same length as the length of the beam or column to be produced.

The flange-engaging electrodes 52 are provided in groups each shown as comprising five of these electrodes, each group of electrodes being carried by a ram 55.

The rams 55 are slidably mounted on hollow blocks 56 secured to cross beams 5'! forming the lower members of the framing structure of the welding apparatus.

The electrodes 52 are formed of hollow workengaging copper sections 58 having internal horizontal partitions 5t ported at fill and dividing the space within the electrode into upper and lower chambers BI and 62 connected, respectively, with cooling-fluid inlet and outlet flexible pipes 63 and 64 leading to cooling liquid feed and return lines 65 and 66, respectively. The electrodes 52 also comprise stem sections 6'! connected with, and electrically insulated from, the electrode sections 58, these stems 61, which are square, as shown, sliding in sockets 68 in the rams 55. Coiled springs 89 in the sockets 66 and engaging the stem sections 51 exert outward pressure against the electrodes 58 which are prevented from becoming displaced from the sockets 68 by pins I0 on the reduced end portions H or the stem sections 6'1, the springs 59 being preferably under initial compression, and so held, by the pins I0, in the normal, inoperating position of the parts of the apparatus.

The rams 55 are operated to move the electrodes 58 toward and away from the line of travel of the work by fluid-pressure-operated mechanism comprising piston and cylinder devices I2 horizontally pivoted at their cylinder portions, as represented at 13, to brackets on certain of uprights I4 rising from the cross-beams 57. The piston rods I5 of these mechanisms are connected adjustably at I6 with the outer ends of arms ll of bell crank levers I6 pivoted at I9 to the outer ends of links pivoted at their inner ends to the blocks 56 at 8I, the other arms 82 of these bell cranks being pivoted at 83 to the rams 55 which latter are guided in their movement by ribs 84 on the upper faces of the blocks 56 which extend into grooves 85 in the bottom faces of the rams 55. Pins 86 on tongues 81 depending from the rams 55 between pairs of tongues 88 on the blocks 56, the pins 86 extending into slots 86 in the tongues 88, hold the rams 55 against accidental upward displacement.

The lower electrodes 54 which are stationary and formed of copper are of hollow construction to afford cooling-liquid chambers 90 to which flexible feed and return pipes BI and 92 are connected, these pipes connecting with cooling-liquid feed and return lines 03 and 94, respectively.

The upper electrodes 53 are also of hollow construction to present cooling-liquid chambers 95 connected by flexible pipes 96 and 61 with coolingliquid feed and return pipes 98 and 99, respectively, and are vertically slidable at their upper ends in socket bushings I00 of current insulating material seated in the lower ends of vertical bores IOI formed in vertically slidable blocks are. The electrodes 53 have upwardly extending stems I53 which extend through the bores IOI and slide in the bushings I06 and in bushings I04 at the upper ends of the bores IOI. Coil springs 53 in the bushings I00 and engaging the electrodes 53 tend to yieldingly press these electrodes in an outward and downward direction, these springs being pref erably under initial compression, and so held, by pins I03 in the normal, inoperative, position of the parts of the apparatus.

The electrodes 53 are shown as grouped relative to the blocks I02, each block I02, in the particular construction shown, being provided with five of the electrodes 53.

The blocks I02 are slidably mounted in housings I05 secured to upper cross beams E56 connected with the upper ends of the uprights I4, each housing containing a vertical guide opening I01 in which the block I02 associated therewith is movable vertically.

The blocks I62, together with the parts carried thereby including the electrodes 53, are movable vertically by fluid-pressure-operated mechanisms, the piston and cylinder devices H16 of which are horizontally pivoted at their cylinders I69 to brackets IIO depending from the upper cross beams I06, as indicated at III. The piston rods II2 of these mechanisms are pivotally connected at I I3 with the outer ends of levers I I4 fulcrumed at II5 on the upper ends of links H6 pivoted at II? to the housings I05, the inner ends of these levers being pivot-ed at II8 to the upper ends of the blocks I02.

Each of the electrodes 52, 53 and 5 3 is connected with a current conducting lead through which current is supplied as hereinafter explained, the leads for these several electrodes being represented at H9, I20 and I2I, respectively.

Associated with the welding mechanism are clamp mechanisms for clamping down on the upper edges of the flange-forming sections of the work; clamp mechanisms for clamping the webforming section of the work; and gage, or side guard, devices for the edge of the work opposite that at which the weld is being made, a description of these mechanisms being as follows:

The flange-clamping devices comprise a horizontal series of substantially vertical, end-to-end, arranged spaced-apart spring-plates E22 secured at their lower edges to plate members 523 carried by the lower cross beams 5'! and on which the electrodes 54 are supported and insulated therefrom as shown. The plates I22 which are insulated from the plates I23 as shown, press at their upper edges, preferably so treated as to render them heat resisting as is well known in the art, against the inner face of the flange-forming member and engage with the underside of the rib 28 thereon. These plates have plate portions represented at I24 which are offset laterally from the upper edges of the plates I22 and form recesses into which the lower edge of the flangeforming section extends, with this section in engagement with the plates I24 as shown.

These flange-clamping devices also comprise a horizontal series of substantially vertical vertically movable plates I25 having their lower edges notched as represented at I26, with a lining 217 of current insulating material, at which these plates are adapted to bear down on the upper edge of the flange-forming section.

The plates I25, one provided for each housing Hi5, guidingly extend at their upper ends between guide walls I28 presented by the housings 565 and lapping lugs I29 (Figs. '7 and 8) on these housings. The plates I25 are pivoted at I35 to levers I62 fulcrumed at I32 on the upper ends of adjustable links I33 pivoted at their lower ends, as represented at i3 4, to brackets 535 on the housings N15. The outer ends of the levers 33! are pivotally connected at 36 with the piston stems lSl of fluid-pressure-operated piston and cylinder mechanisms I33 the cylinders i355 of which are horizontally pivoted at 40 on the upper cross beams I06.

The plates I25 which are relatively narrow slide in horizontally restricted upper and lower guide openings MI and I42 in the housings i 35 and are restrained against swinging away from the flange-forming section, namely, to the left in Fig. 6, by webs I43 formed as parts of the housings 565.

The clamp mechanisms for clamping the webiorming section 25 comprise a horizontal series of stationary clamp elements M4 secured to the lower cross beams 51, and a horizontal series of upper clamp elements 565 disposed directly above the clamping elements Md and vertically movable into and out of clamping position. The elements are guided for vertical movement in openings I46 in the housings I05 and are operated by fiuid-pressure-operated piston and cylinder mechanisms I41 the cylinders I48 of which are horizontally pivoted, as indicated at I49, to brackets I50 depending from the upper cross beams I06, the piston rods I5I of these mechanisms being pivoted at E52 to the outer ends of levers I53 fulcrumed at I54 to the lower ends of links I55 pivoted at their upper ends at I56 on the housings I05, the inner ends of these levers being pivotally connected at I5! to the clamp elements The gage devices above referred to and represented generally at l58 comprise gaging elements I59 connected to a shaft I65 journaled in a carriage ISI extending lengthwise of the apparatus, the gaging elements 655 having arm extensions I5 2 carrying sliding counterbalancing weights I63.

The elements I59 oppose the edge of the work opposite that at which the weld is being effected and the faces thereof at which they engage the work are stepped as represented to provide on each element two faces I64 and IE5, the face Hi5 being set back from the face I64. The face N54 is provided to engage the adjacent edge of the webforming section 25 in the operation of welding the first flange-forming section 26 thereto (Figs. 5 and 13) and the face 655 is provided to engage the outer face of the first flange-forming section 26 welded to the web-forming section 25 (Fig. 6) these faces being so disposed, as shown, that in both the first and second welding operations referred to, assuming the carriage it! to have been properly preliminarily adjusted for the particular height of beam or column to be produced as by the means hereinafter described, the work will be properly positioned in the apparatus for the proper functioning of the electrode and clamping mechanisms above described.

The carriage IiiI carries nuts I66 at intervals therealong in which threaded shafts I57 journaled on the frame of the apparatus, and extending crosswise thereof, are screwed, each shaft I61 having a spiral gear I65, these gears meshing with worms I69 on a shaft l'lll journaled in the frame of the apparatus and driven in either direction, selectively, by a reversible motor HI connected therewith, with a speed-reducing mechanism I'll] interposed, whereby all of the gage elements I59 may be simultaneously adjusted crosswise of the apparatus by rotating the shaft I'M to adapt the apparatus for operation on work of different widths.

The shaft I66 is provided with a rigid arm I'I2 pivoted at Il'3 to the piston stem I714 of a fluidpressure-operated piston and cylinder mechanism I75, the cylinder 576 of which is trunnioned at EU on one of the end carriages ltl. Fluid pressure for rocking the shaft I65 and with it the gaging elements i553 into either of the positions shown (Figs. 5, 6 and 13) is admitted to the cylinder 515 through a pipe I78 or I19 at opposite ends of the cylinder, depending on the direction in which the shaft I68 is to be rocked.

The welding operation is effected by causing an electric current of suitable strength to pass between the electrodes and through the interposed flange-forming section and web-forming section while forcibly pressing the flange-forming section at its rib 28 against the adjacent longitudinal edge of the web-forming section 25.

Beyond the welding mechanism is a table represented at I and having work supporting rolls IBI mounted on shafts Hi2 journaled on girders I83 supported on the lower cross beams 51, to

receive the work after the welding operation has been performed.

In the use of the apparatus the web-forming section 25 and the flange-forming section 26 are assembled on the table 29, the section 25 resting flatwise on the rollers 33 and the section 26 edgewise on the rollers 38 at the middle of the shafts 39, with the rib 28 of section 26 extending toward the section 25. These sections are then fed into the clamp and welding mechanisms described (the electrodes 52 and 53 and the clamp elements I25 and I45 being in retracted position and the gage devices I59 conditioned to present their faces I64 to the adjacent edge of the webforming section 25) to become supported on the rollers 45 and 46 which are in the raised position shown in Fig. 5.

The jacks 44 are then manipulated to lower the shafts 42 thus withdrawing the rollers 45 and 46 from engagement with the sections 25 and 26, which causes the section 25 to rest on the clamp elements I44 and the section 26 to rest on the member I22, in which position these sections are properly alined. The mechanisms I41, 12 and I38 are then actuated to force the clamping elements I45 against the web-forming section 25, and the electrodes 52 and the clamping elements I25 inwardly and downwardly, respectively, against the section 26. The electrodes 53 are then forced downwardly against the section 25 by operating the mechanisms I08. Current is then supplied to the electrodes 52, 53 and 54 to weld the sections 25 and 26 together.

During the welding operation the operating pressures for the clamp and electrode mechanisms referred to, continue to function and as the metal at the joint between the sections 25 and 26 softens the continuing force exerted by the electrodes 52 causes the section 26 to move bodily inwardly toward the section 25 with the necessary pressure against the section 25 for producing the weld. The springs 69 serve primarily to insure the contacting of each electrode 52 with the section 26 under substantially the same pressure regardless of slight variations in beam section and such unevennesses or irregularities as may be presented on the outer face of this section. A similar function is performed by the springs 53* operating in conjunction with the electrodes 53.

Inasmuch as the plates I22 are of springy material and the clamping plates I25 are pivotally hung at I30 from the levers I3I, these parts maintain their operative positions relative to the flange-forming section during the movement of the latter toward the web section 25 under the pressure exerted against the flange-forming section by the electrodes 52 as they move toward the web-section 25 as above described.

It may be here stated that the leverage exerted by the mechanisms I 4'! on the clamp elements I45 is preferably sufficiently greater than that exerted by the mechanisms I2 on the electrodes 52 as to insure the holding of the section 25, during the welding operation, against lateral displacement.

Following the welding of the section 26 to the section 25 as stated the partially formed beam or column, when an I-beam is to be produced, is removed from the apparatus and assembled on the table 29 with the other flange-forming section 21 as shown in Fig. 15, and the assembly then fed into the clamping and welding mechanisms for support on the rollers 45 and 46 (these rollers being in raised position) the gage devices I59 being manipulated to cause their surfaces I65 to oppose the outer face of the section 26. The clamping and electrode positioning operations, as above described, are again performed to weld the section 21 to the united web and flange sections 25 and 26 as above explained as to the welding of the sections 25 and 26 together.

In the welding together of the sections 25, 26 and 21 as above described, beads, represented at I84, are formed (by upsetting of the adjacent edges of the metal sections under the pressure exerted by the electrodes 52) at opposite faces of the web-forming section 25 at the joints between the latter and the flange-forming sections 26 and 21, which it is desired be eliminated in the finished structure. This may be accomplished in any desirable way, as for example by a rolling, machining, or grinding operation.

The supplying of operating pressures to the mechanisms 12, I08, I38 and I41 is preferably accomplished by the particular controlling mechanisms shown more particularly in Figs. 18-22 which serve, by the operation of a single control valve to simultaneously actuate the mechanisms 12, I38 and I41 for moving the electrodes 52 against the flange sections and applying the clamps I 25 and I45, provision being made for the initial movement of these parts to operating position under the action of relatively slight force only, followed by the application of much greater force to cause them to press against the Work with the pressures desired during the welding operations.

The controlling mechanism referred to comprises a. pipe I 85 leading from any suitable source of fluid-pressure-supply and opening into the casing I88 of a valve device I81, the valve proper of which is represented at I88. The valve proper I88 which is rotatable contains a through passage I89 adapted to connect the pipe I85 with either one of two pipes I99 and I9I opening into the casing I85 and connected with a pipe I92, the pipe I 99 containing a pressure reducing valve mechanism represented generally at I93. Thus, by this arrangement fluid under either high pressure or low pressure, as desired, may be supplied to the controlling system, the valve proper I88 being weighted at I94 to cause it normally to be in a condition for supplying fluid at low pressure to the system.

The pipe I92 opens into the casing I95 of a control valve device I98, the interior of this casing communicating with three pipe mains I91, I98 and I99 and containing an exhaust port 299.

The pipe main I91 extends along the several mechanisms 12 and I38 and connects by flexible branch pipes 29I and 292 with the tops of the cyl nders of all of the mechanisms 12 and I38, respectively. The pipe main I 91 also connects with a pipe main 293 which extends along the mechanisms I 41 and connects with the tops of he cylinders of all of the mechanisms I41 by flex ble branch pipes 293.

The pipe main I 98 extends along he several mechanisms I38 and connects by flexible branch pipes 294 and 295 with the bottoms of all of the cylinders of the mechanisms 12 and I38, respectively.

The pipe I99 extends lengthwise along the mechanisms I41 and connects by flexible branch pipes 206 with the lower ends of the cylinders of all of the mechanisms I41.

The valve proper of the valve device I96 which is rotatable and represented at 291 is preferably of the shape shown (Figs. 20 and 21), whereby in one position (Fig. 20) fluid pressure is supplied to the pipe main I91 only and both of the pipe mains I98 and I99 are open to exhaust through the port 299 and thus the pistons of all of the mechanisms 12, I38 and I41 are forced downwardly to retract the electrodes 52 and the clamping elements I25 and I45.

Upon rotating the valve proper in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 20 to the dotted line position shown in 21, the pipe main I91 becomes closed to the supply of fluid pressure and opened to the exhaust port 299 and the pipe main I99 becomes opened to the supply and thus the pistons of the mechanisms I41 are forced upwardly to move the clamping elements I45 downwardly into positions in which they bear against the work.

Continued rotation of the valve proper 291 to the full line position shown in Fig. 21 also opens the pipe main I98 to the supply of fluid pressure whereupon, while the clamping 555 main in operating position, the pistons of the mechanisms 12 and I39 are forced upwardly to force the electrodes 52 and the clamping elements I25 against the work. Upon returning valve proper 291 to normal position (Fig. 29) fluid pressure enters the tops of the cylinders of all of the mechanisms 12, I30 and I91, hereinbefore described, and the electrodes and the clamping elements I25 and I45 are thereby retracted.

It may here be stated that in the operation of the apparatus fluid at low pressure is used for the movement of the electrodes 52 clamping elements I25 and I45 into position against the work preliminary to the welding operation (and also to retract these parts after the welding operation) the valve proper I89 being in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 19; but after these parts have been moved into engagement with the work the high pressure fluid for pressing these electrodes and clamping devices against the work during the welding operation, is supplied by rotating the valve proper I88 to the dotted position shown in this figure.

The supplying of actuating fluid pressure to the mechanisms I98 which it is intended be operated to position the electrodes 53 against the work after the electrodes 52 and clamping elements I25 and I45 have been applied to the work as stated, may be effected through the system shown and comprising a pipe 298 leading from any suitable source of high pressure fluid and opening into the casing 299 of a valve device 2 I Ii the valve proper of which, represented at 2i i, is rotatable. The valve proper 2!! has two separate through passages 2I2 and 2H3 therein arranged as shown and the casing 299 has an exhaust port 2M and communicates with two pipe mains and N9, the passages 2I2 and H3 and the pipes M5 and ZIB being so disposed as shown that in one position of the valve proper 2H (Fig. 22) the pipe main 2|5 is open to the supply pipe 2529 and the pipe main 2I9 communicates with the exhaust port 2 I4, and in the other position of this valve the inlet pipe 298 is open to the pipe main 2i; and the pipe main 2I5 communicates with the exhaust port 2I4.

The pipe mains ZIIi and its extend along the mechanisms I98, the pipe main 2E5 being connected by flexible branch pipes Eli with the upper ends of the cylinders of all of the mechanisms I98, and the pipe main 2H3 connecting, by flexible branch pipes 2I8, with the lower ends of all of these cylinders. Thus by manipulating the 

